Scientists of Perm Polytech’s departments “Highways and bridges” and “Construction production and geotechnics” participated in researches, which were sponsored by the Russian fund for fundamental studies. Scientists published the results of research in the periodical “Chemistry, Ecology, Urbanistics”.
According to Katarina Istomina, the author of the development, the graduate student of the department "Highways and bridges", such retaining structures are built in conditions of difficult terrain and dense building due to the lack of space for slopes and economic reasons. Such structures keep the ground from collapse and various materials are used to "support" the retaining wall during construction. Materials should be economical and safe for the environment.
It is believed that sand and sand-gravel mixtures are usually used when backfilling the dirt. Mixtures provide water filtration to direct it away from retaining structures. It was proposed to improve materials’ properties with the addition from fly ash, formed at thermal power plants. Ash doesn’t harm the environment, and as a result it is now used in distinct industries: construction, metallurgy and agriculture. The researchers' technology will protect roads from collapse and reduce environmental pollution.
In order to check the composition from sand and ash, the scientists performed several important actions. Firstly, they carried out laboratory studies of the physical and mechanical properties of sandy soil without additives, as well as with the application of ash in the amount of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the total mixture. Secondly, they fulfilled analytical calculations and numerical experiments to define the composition’s effectiveness. As a result, created composition by scientists made it possible to reinforce the retaining wall.